If there was a popularity contest for countries,
Brazil certainly would be near the top of the list. The Latin American nation
hosts the World Cup in 2014, the Summer Olympic Games in 2016, and the 60th
annual Miss Universe Pageant on Monday (9 p.m., NBC).

Host Natalie Morales (NBC's "Today"), who spent a
portion of her childhood in Brazil and speaks fluent Portuguese, is pleased to
see such recognition. And spending time in a beautiful country with
enthusiastic pageant contestants, well, that's just an added bonus.

"The appeal is for me also getting a chance to go
home in a lot of ways because I am half Brazilian and I lived there when I was
10 - 7 to 10 years old - so I know the beauty of Brazil and I couldn't be more
excited that, you know, it's resurgence as a world power is prime," she said.
"I think a prime example is the fact that it's getting to host such a great
event, which is the Miss Universe Pageant, on the 60th anniversary of the Miss
Universe Pageant, so what a great way to celebrate that and all of these
beautiful ladies. I mean, 89 participants and, you know, from countries all
over the world.

"Brazil is an incredible country ... and it's taking
the world by storm again. And it's an incredible opportunity for these ladies
to showcase all they have to offer, as well, in a country that I believe is
proving to the world that it's time they're taken more seriously."

Though Morales called Brazil home for a number of
years, her own family has yet to see the country. She's eager to return with
them - and looking to brush up on her language skills, too.

"I think it's a win-win because I get to hopefully
practice my Portuguese a little bit and really have a chance to get back and
see this beautiful country, which I'm so excited," Morales said. "And my family
is coming as well, so it'll be my husband and my boys' first time going to
Brazil, so it's pretty exciting."

In terms of the pageant itself, each contestant will
compete in three categories (swimsuit, evening gown and interview) and work to
increase HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women's health issues.

"The theme of this year, it's interesting because
everybody's talking about, you know, not only representing well for the - you
know, the HIV and AIDS education, you know, they've got to research and (get)
legislation. Miss Universe serves as a role model, you know, and you've got to
look for actually that kind of scenario (where the winner can raise
awareness)," said judge, Indy 500 winner and "Dancing with the Stars" champion Helio Castroneves. "People just,
sometimes, thinking about the model look, you know, picture and, 'Oh, this one
looks fantastic,' but it's not only one thing, you know? In fact, I was talking
even to Adriana, my wife, and she said, 'You've got to look for something that
is actually the whole package.' And it's true, because she's going to be
representing so many, many things, you know: beauty, tradition, accomplishment.
And that's what I'm going to be looking (for). So, hopefully, I can see when
I'm judging I was able - I'm going to be able to see that and it'll be pretty
exciting."

Castroneves, who is also Brazilian, said, "This is
an amazing opportunity. I'm really, really excited to be judging, first of all.
I mean, for me, I - you know, being a race car driver, being an athlete, you've
got to be focused; you've got to be determined; and I fully understand that all
the contestants, all the ladies, I mean, they're going to do a pretty good job.

"They're working really hard in terms of, you know,
to have their hair, makeup and eating the right things, and I believe it's
going to be the whole package. It's not about only one thing, to be beautiful,
but also as well, you know, you've got to represent well, you've got to be
presentable."

Miss Universe tidbits

•The 60th
annual Miss Universe Pageant will be broadcast live from Credicard Hall in São
Paulo, Brazil. A live Spanish simulcast will air on Telemundo. Natalie Morales
and Bravo's Andy Cohen will host the NBC broadcast.

•The list of
judges includes:

Helios
Castroneves, three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500

Connie Chung,
U.S. broadcast legend

Isabeli
Fontana, Brazilian supermodel

Vivica Fox,
actress and television producer

Adrienne
Maloof, from Bravo's hit series "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"

Lea Salonga,
Tony Award winner and actress

Amelia Vega,
Miss Universe 2003

•Grammy-nominated
singer/songwriter Bebel Gilberto, daughter of Brazilian legend Joao Gilberto,
will perform her electronic bossa nova single "Close Your Eyes" during the
evening gown portion of the competition. Meanwhile, Brazilian native pop singer
Claudia Leitte will turn the heat up when she performs her new single
"Locomotion" during the swimsuit competition.

•For
the first time ever, fans in represented countries have been able to vote for
their favorite contestant for an automatic spot into the semifinals at the 2011
Miss Universe competition. Fans can vote online at www.missuniverse.com or www.nbc.com. Online voting is taking place now
through Sept. 11 (9 p.m. ET).